Energy Insiders Podcast September 11

The Coalition’s attempts to try and force AGL Energy to either keep the Liddell coal fired power station open, or sell it to someone who would, is one of the most extraordinary acts of an extraordinary period in energy politics in Australia.

Chloe Munro, the former head of the Clean Energy Regulator, a panel member of the Finkel Review and the newly-appointed chair of AEMO expert advisory panel describes it as “mystifying.”

That’s because it seems to ignore many of the recommendations adopted in the Finkel review, and the actual content of the two AEM reports delivered last week.

Munro tells Energy Insiders on our weekly podcast that it shows the big “communication” challenge for the energy industry – and the need to focus not on “baseload”, but “dispatchable” energy, as suggested by AEMO.

David Leitch, ITK analyst and RenewEconomy contributor, was scathing, describing the latest intervention from the parliamentary floor as “Venezuelan” (read his full analysis here)

“I find it toally objectionable – that you can stand up in parliament – and make an announcement without any regard to process,” Leitch says in the podcast.

It is a fascinating conversation Munro also explains the goals behind the newly appointed advisory board, which seeks to “get the best minds” working on the technical issues of the energy transition and help speed up the process.

Munro also explains why the reliability standards should also be reviewed – actually they are – because of the confusing messages it sends to consumers, and its ability to cause reactive policy measures.

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Giles Parkinson is founder and editor of Renew Economy, and is also the founder of One Step Off The Grid and founder/editor of The Driven. Giles has been a journalist for 35 years and is a former business and deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review.

Giles Parkinson is founder and editor of Renew Economy, and is also the founder of One Step Off The Grid and founder/editor of The Driven. Giles has been a journalist for 35 years and is a former business and deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review.